Bugaboo Rainforest requires national park designation to preserve endangered wildlife
Mountain Caribou
Photo credit: Michael Wheatley
Photo credit: Joe Foy
Photo credit: Mark Degener
Mountain caribou used to be plentiful throughout southern BC. Today, logging and development have greatly fragmented caribou habitat leaving mountain caribou among the top 5 most endangered animals in the province. One of BC's most significant, and endangered herds of mountain caribou is the Central Selkirk herd of 125 animals. This herd forages in the Bugaboo's old growth forests, without which the caribou will not survive. The creation of Bugaboo Rainforest National Park will help this herd by protecting approximately 70% of its remaining unprotected, old growth habitat.
Inland Temperate Forest - Globally Unique
Bugaboo Rainforest is part of the world's only inland temperate rainforest, a quirk of nature formed by the cloud raking action of the Columbia Mountains. The climate here is wet, resulting in forests similar to those found along the BC coast, 600 km west. Cool temperatures and high snowfall also lend the region a distinct northern feel. This massive red cedar is in East Creek.
Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears in the Bugaboo region range between high elevation alpine meadows and old growth valley bottoms that comprise some of the most vital grizzly bear habitat in BC. Unfortunately, grizzly populations have declined in the face of trophy hunting, development and human encroachment, including increasing helicopter traffic. Bugaboo grizzlies need protection from hunting and protected habitat to survive long into the future.
